Terrion Arnold has yet to step foot on the turf of an NFL game and league analysts are dropping his name in the hat to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso ranked the new Detroit Lion as the leading candidate for DROY, citing his clean performance on film and despite a so-so combine.

“A decade ago, he may be considered small for the outside cornerback spot. Not today, with the way receivers — even perimeter ones — around the league are getting smaller and lighter,” he said.

It’s just how well Arnold is needed and fits with Detroit that particularly seals the deal for Trapasso.

“In the 2023 regular season, the Lions finished fourth in defensive pressure rate at 41.6%, and they added butt-kicking nose tackle D.J. Reader to the front along with Marcus Davenport. The Lions are going to disrupt the quarterback. Often. Music to the ears of Arnold, who, alongside former teammate Brian Branch, is going to be a magnet to the football en route to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year,” he writes.

He’s not the only one. Last month, ESPN NFL draft expert Matt Miller also named Arnold as his pick for DROY for largely the same reasons.

“The Lions can get after the quarterback and create opportunities for the defensive backs to make plays. Arnold will reap the benefits of that pass rush with his ball-hawking skills that allowed him to grab five interceptions at Alabama last season,” he said.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr takes a stab at ranking the divisions following the draft and free agency, explaining the NFC North took a giant leap to second place. “The NFC North could compete with the AFC North for the best division. It depends on how the Bears and Vikings progress.”

• Similarly, NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha says the Lions are the fourth-most improved team ahead of the 2024 season. “The Lions haven’t made too many mistakes since GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell arrived three years ago. This offseason just put them one step closer to a championship.”

• Alim McNeill teamed up with clothing brand Kiwiclo for a cool Detroit Grand Prix line. They’ll have a pop up at Hart Plaza from Friday through Sunday.

• I am of the opinion it would take the entire media room to get him off the ground.

Jack Flaherty allowed one hit over 6 2/3 innings, Akil Baddoo, Riley Greene and Gio Urshela hit home runs and the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 5-0 on Thursday night.

Flaherty (2-4) carried a no-hitter through 6 1/3 innings. His bid was snapped when Boston outfielder Rob Refsnyder singled into left field on a 3-2 pitch. The only other Red Sox player to reach against Flaherty came in the fifth when Rafael Devers opened the inning with a walk.

Flaherty struck out nine and threw 66 of his 104 pitches for strikes. He was still featuring a mid 90s fastball before getting taken out with Detroit up 2-0.

The Red Sox were held hitless through six innings as recently as last Saturday against Milwaukee. Boston finished Thursday’s game with two hits and four runners.

After walking the leadoff batter, Boston right-hander Nick Pivetta (2-4) tied Roger Clemens for the Red Sox record with eight consecutive strikeouts. His bid for nine straight punchouts was snapped on a groundball to second base that led off the fourth inning.

Recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Baddoo snapped produced the game’s first run with one swing. With one down in the fifth, the Detroit outfielder jumped sent the ball into the first row of Green Monster seats.

Detroit made it 2-0 in the sixth when No. 9 hitter Carson Kelly tripled into the right-field corner and scored on Mark Canha’s single. Pivetta exited after allowing two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

The Tigers broke the game open with three runs in the eighth including Greene’s two-run homer and Urshela’s homer.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Shelby Miller (ulnar nerve irritation) will make his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo on Friday. He appeared in 15 games for Detroit before undergoing a procedure to remove scar tissue a few weeks ago. “We need him to be good when he gets back, not just healthy,” manager A.J. Hinch said.

Red Sox: RHP Garrett Whitlock underwent an internal brace procedure on his damaged UCL on Thursday. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had his latest procedure on his arm performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. … OF Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain) is taking swings off the tee. Yoshida has been on the IL since May 1 (retroactive to April 29). … 1B Triston Casas (rib strain) hopes to be cleared by doctors to swing a bat soon. He continues to take groundballs. Casas hasn’t appeared in a major league game since April 20.

UP NEXT

Detroit RHP Kenta Maeda (2-1, 5.80) faces Boston RHP Tanner Houck (4-5, 1.90) on Friday night.